The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-07-08
Sweetwater Park Hotel, Salt Springs,
Georgia.

georgia.
The existence of these springs has been
known in the neighborhood for many years
and their saline properties fully recognized
Indeed, we are informed that during the
late war an attempt was made to utilize them
by the manufacture of salt, for the benefit of
the army and Ithe families of soldiers of the
Confederacy But it failed, perhaps on ac-
count of the medicinal qualities of the water
or the lack of appropriate apparatus. After
this the springs seemed to have almost
dropped out of sight until within the last
two or three years their curative effects
upon diseases OF the liver, skin, kidneys and
stomach began to attract special attention.
Then it was, fortunately for the afflicted that
a wealthy and enterprising Atlanta company
composed of such potential names as Messrs
Marsh, Inman and Watson, resolved to de-
velop this hidden fount and extend its bless
ings to the whole country. Accordingly
they purchased the site and 200 acres adjoin-
ing, and forthwith the work of redeeming
the wilderness and the erection of costly
improvements commenced, and has been
pushed forward with great energy ever
since. The spring. surrounded by primeval
forest trees and huge, grotesque-looktng
masses of granite rock scattered around as
though hurled hither and thither by giants
at play, is picturesquely situated in Doug
lass county, near the line of Cobb and Doug
lass, aud has been substantially tubed
through the solid rock and its surplus waters
conducted to a neat bath house several hun
bred feet distant, where cold and hot min
eral baths are served at all hours. Soon the
grounds in the artistic hands of a skilled
landscape gardener will be transformed into
a scene of perfect beauty and lovelineSs
Nature has been lavish in her gifts, and the
task will not be difficult. These embellish-
o,-1, atn
it is estimated will cost s., 900. But the great
attraction of the place is the Sweetwater
Park Hotel, which, though not quite COM
pleted, was opened to the public few days
ago. It is under the charge of Mr.. j. ID.
Billings, late of the Traverse Hotel, Michi-
gan, a courteous gentleman who has had
twenty-five years experience in the bust
ness. His assistant, T. G. Daniel, who pre-
sides in the office, understands the knack of
making himself agreeable to all. This mag
nificent structure in all its appointments is
undoubtedly the most elegant and elabo-
rately finished hotel at any watering place
in the South. 1t cost, including furniture,
fixtures and railway to the spring, will eX-
coed 100000. All the building material,
as far as practicable, such as marble, slate,
lumber, ornamental woods, brick, etc, IS OF
Georgia origin. Even the work of planning,
matching and framing the wooden mate
rails was all done on the premises The
ornamental wainscotting, panel work, ETC.,
of the interior is of curled and polished
Georgia pine, and is much admired. Every
modern convenience and invention has been
supplied, such as incandescent electric light
for each chamber, electric bells and fire
alarms, the latest patent of water closets.
warm and cold mineral baths on every
floor the most complete fire protection,
promenades and corridors thousands of feet
III length for invalidS unable to exercise out
doors, an elegant dining room with ceiling
of pine and cherry that will seat 800 guests,
one of the most spacious and handsome ball
chambers In the South, and in short all that
heart could wish for.
The parlors, with their magnificent mir
rors and soft Wilton carpets, are especially
elegant, while the bedchambers are provided
with the best hair mattresses and nicely
furnished As it is intended to keep the
house open all the year round for the accom-
mediation of Northern visitors, each cham
Der has fireplace and coal CRATE. In the
office the fronts of the wide chimney places
are of handsome Georgia marble and the
tesselated floors of the same material The
kitchen, steam laundry, bakery, ETC., are
all very complete, and two huge elevated
tanks with capacity of 1900 gallons each,
fed from the spring by piping and steam
pump, and aiiOrding natural pressure of
twenty-six inches, could flood the premises
with water in few minutes. A narrow
gauge railway, equipped with steam
dummy and neat coaches, is used for the
transportation of guests to and from the
spring. At present there are about 100 visi-
tors, but very large number have taken
rooms and are coming in daily. Mr.. Bill
ings can comfortably entertain over 800
guests and his table menu and corps of ser
wants are all that the most fastidious could
desire The hotel is charmingly located
and accessible by two railroads from all
parts of the country. Read advertisement
in this ISSUE